Index tabs



Jan. 15, 1963 J. c. CONDO N 3,07

I INDEX TABS Filed Aug. 19, 1959 2 SheetsSheet 1 a 72f m. W96.

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Jan. 15, 1963 J. c. CONDON INDEX TABS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 19, 1959 John C C on 070% INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,073,046 INDEX TABS John C. Condon, De Kalb, Ill. (845 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago 5, Ill.) Filed Aug. 19, 1959, Ser. No. 834,803 1 Claim. (Cl. 40-23) My invention relates to index tabs for file folders and cards, and is an improvement on the index tab patented by me on December 30, 1952, under No. 2,623,311.

It is noted that the patented tab extends with a metal lie top to the region where the title insert is contained.

' In this region the front of the metallic top is made with a horizontal sight opening through which the index card is seen or read; and the metallic top is in the form of a fold which encloses and protects the title insert. The sight opening referred to is necessarily limited in size in order not to weaken the front wall of the metallic top, so that the material or data visible on the title insert is restricted in extent or area to the size of the sight opening.

The function of the body 'or lower portion of an index tab is to secure attachment to the file folder or card, and such body orlower portion therefore is properly a metallic clamp whch is designed to engage the file folder or card from both sides and secure a clinching or riveting hold on the same. However, the top portion of the index tabwhich receives the title insert-serves merely as a receptacle for the same and not as a clamp, so that it need not be made of metal or as an extension of the clamping portion below. It is therefore one object of one form of the present improvement to limit the metallic portion of the index tab to the region where it is attachable to the file folder, card or other supporting part.

A further object is to supplement the metallic base of.

the index tab with a top of transparent sheet materialsuch as Celluloid--which forms both a protective casing for the title insert and a transparent front as wide as the title insert, so that the same may be printed or inscribed to its full capacity with the assurance that all the data will be readable through the front of the index tab.

Another object is to provide a transparent top portion adapted to function as described and formed with walls lining those of the base so that means attaching the base to the file folder may at the same time attach the top portion and lock it in place.

A still further object is to design the top portion in the manner of a fold which serves as the receptacle or casing for the title insert, the sides of the fold conforming to the shape of the metallic base.

Another object is to attach the top fold to the base structure by employing the snap fastener elements illustrated in my aforesaid patent, the studs of the fasteners perforating the back wall of the fold in order to anchor the same to the back wall of the base.

An additional object is to impart a formation to file folders which will fix the extent to which the index tab is applied to the same, in order to insure the proper mounting of the index tab.

A better understanding of the improvement may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one form of the index tab applied to the back leaf of a file folder;

FIG. 2 is a group elevation of the index tab in the position of application to a fragment of the file folder;

FIG. 3 is an edge view of the index tab before its application;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of the index tab as first applied to the file folder, the front wall of the index tab being broken away;

FIG. 5 is a magnified section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevation of a'modified index tab; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section on the line 77 of FIG. 6.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 10 and 11 denote the base portions of the index tab, these being of metal and of a substantially triangular form defining sides 12 at the top and rounded tips 13 at bottom center. The portions 10 and 11 are identical; and they preferably receive the snap fastener components illustrated in the aforesaid patentsuch as the studs 15 from the back pordepth to reach below the upper snap fasteners 15---16,

as indicated by the dotted lines 25a in FIG. 2, or the full depth of the base, so as to gain the benefit of the bottom fastener. The fold is mounted on the frontal side of the base portion 11, and impaled with its back wall on the studs 15 projecting therefrom. The base portion 10 is attached to the front wall of the fold by an adhesive 26. The top fold thus carries both base portions.

In order to apply the index tab to the wing 18 of the file folder, FIG. 2 shows that such wing is made with a horizontal slit 27 directly below the rounded tips of the index tab. The mode of application, when the index tab is spread as in FIG. 3, is to place the base portion 11 behind the file folder wing 18 and insert the tip of such base portion in forward direction through the slit 27, so that the tip may appear from the front as shown in the center of FIG. 4. The slit thus forms a bottom limit for the mounting of the index tab; and the placement of the slit at such limit is calculated to position the index tab at the proper height in relation to the file folder. Also, the position of the slit determines the lateral placement of the index tab at a desired point. Mounted as just explained, the tab may be pressed together to secure the riveted relation between its walls and the file folder wing, as in the patented structure. It is understood that the index tab may contain the title insert when mounted as described or receive the title insert at a later time.

The modification of FIGS. 6 and 7 permits the use of the full-width top fold with the aid of a reinforcing factor. For this purpose the base portion 11 is extended upwardly to form a backing 30 for the top fold. The extension is then bent forward with a downward lip 31, which serves to retain the top fold to the extension and protect the fo d against bending or injury when the file folder is handled in the region of the index tab.

Various types of business often receive the placement of index tabs at different points along the top of the file folder. To make this possible with the improved index tab, a suitable series of the slits 27 are cut in the file tab, a suitable series of the slits 27 are cut in the file folder, FIG. 1 showing three such slits cut in one leaf, and five in the other.

It will now be apparent that both forms of the improved index tab have the advantage of (l) accommodating a transparent front of full or longer width than that of the tab portion which applies to the file folder, so that a maximum of data may be printed or inscribed on the title insert with the assurance that all of it will be visible; (2) to frame or metallic front is present in the region of the title insert to obstruct or limit the view thereof, so that longer from becoming soiled. Further, fabricating the top fold as a part separate from the metallic base makes it possible to supply transparent folds of different colors,such as for a variety of files-for use with a base of a single color or finish. ,The modification of FIGS. 6 and 7 oifers a reinforcing and retentive factor for a transparent fold of any width by using aminimum of frontal metal. Further,

the provision .of the'sli-t 27 fixes the proper mounting position of the index tab without guesswork or close inspection. Also, the use of the slit at a fixed point in a group of file folders insures the alinement and neat appearance of the index tabs. Finally, the improved index tab is highly efiicient from the viewpoints of economical manu fiacture andconvenience of application and use.

While I have ,de'scribed'the formsof the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I reserve the right to employ all such changes and refinements as may come within thescope and spirit of the appended claim.

Iclaim:

An index tab having opposed base portions adapted for application to opposite sides of a support, a transparent fold above said portions adapted to receive a title insert, the Walls of the fold having continuations lying along the inner sides of said portions and spread for receiving the support between such continuations, inward studs carried by one of said base portions on which one of said continuations is impaled, and inward keepers carried by the other base portion on which the other continuation is impaled, such studs and keepers being the components of fasteners, the gathering of the base portions with pressure effective to couple said components and jointly fasten the base portions and said continuations to the support.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,079,209 Burckhart Nov. 18, 1913 1,370,424 Gale Mar. 1, 1921 1,424,338 Brenne Aug. 1, 1922 1,826,614 Gratf Oct. 6, 1931 1,971,996 Tete Aug. 28, 1934 1,977,096 Straubel Oct. 16, 1934 2,623,311 Co'ndon Dec. 30, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS.

136,206 Switzerland Ian. 2, 1930 275,458 Switzerland Aug. 1, 1951 

